cjenkns on Family Tree Circles

Journals and Posts

I started searching in cemeteries when I could only read the name Mary
on a tombstone as my Grandfather was searching for his Great Aunt Mary Thompson. I was about 7 years old. We looked for his Great Aunt Mary every time we made a trip (twice a year) back to the place he was born. We never did find her grave. My grandpa died when I was 15 years old and I made a vow that I would continue to hunt for his Great Aunt Mary Thompson's grave. When I was about 20 years old I was back in his old county and I stopped at a house and asked if they had ever heard or knew of a Mary Thompson in the area. Yes, they had and there was a Mary Thompson living up the road! I was so excited--I could not wait but then I was afraid to knock on the door---not knowing who or what I would find. I did though and heard footsteps on the other side of the door--and then a old lady opened the door.
I explained who I was and who my Grandpa was and why I was looking for a Mary Thompson and low and behold---she said "Come on in!"
Mary Thompson that you are looking for her grave is my Grandma!
Come on in! I at last knew where my Grandpa's great Aunt Mary Guthrie
Thompson was buried. This started my ancestry searching and I am still at it at age 66. It has been a lifetime interest and this is just one story but the starting one.

Searching for siblings and parents of John Bradford who was born in Tennessee in 1798. I do not know what county. He married in Franklin County Indiana in 1817 to Sarah Blades who was born in South Carolina about 1800. They moved to Bartholomew County about 1830 and had their children born there. They are buried in Bartholomew County Indiana.
He is my dead end. Rumor was that he was relation to the Russell and Smith families. There is a David and an Elias Bradford in Bartholomew County Indiana very early but I have not found a connection yet. There is also a Mary Ann Bradford who married a John Russell in Grainger County Tennessee 1800 ---she moved to Franklin County after the Russell died and married again to a Gant. There are Gant's and Russell's living close to John Bradford in Bartholomew County later. Are they his relatives?